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Processing and Improving a Head-Related Impulse Response Database for Auralization

To convert a database of anechoic head-related impulse responses [HRIRs] into a set of data that is suitable for auralization involves many stages of processing. The output data set must be precisely corrected to account for some circumstances of the recording. It must then be equalised to remove colouration. Finally, the database must be interpolated to a finer resolution. This paper explains these stages of correction, equalisation, and spatial interpolation for a frequently-used data set obtained from a KEMAR dummy head. The result is a useful database of HRIRs that can be applied dynamically to audio signals for research and entertainment purposes.